Pakistan's former military ruler vowed to emerge as his country's future saviour as he launched a new political party from exile in London.

Pervez Musharraf told a packed press conference of cheering supporters at the former National Liberal Club in Westminster that he had made mistakes while in office.

But, launching the All Pakistan Muslim League, he added: "The time has come to make Pakistan into a progressive, modern Islamic state." Musharraf, 67, said Pakistan's current leaders were failing to "show any signs of light in the darkness that prevails in Pakistan".

The former general came to power in a bloodless military coup in 1999 and founded the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) in 2002.

He quit in August 2008 after a new government led by Pakistan People's Party of Benazir Bhutto threatened to impeach him and was replaced by Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari.

Speaking at a debate in London earlier this week, Musharraf warned it was only a matter of time before there was a military coup.